Changes

Martial Artist Assessments usually took several days before the results came out.

After the rules were changed this time, things went much faster.

By the time Su Bei walked out of the office, dusk had already fallen and stars dotted the sky, but his mood was completely different.

He felt as if the sky was wide enough for birds to soar and the sea vast enough for fish to leap.

The Martial Artist Assessment was over.

Those who could advance had mostly advanced. Those who could not, if they were less well-off, could only wait bitterly for the next assessment. Those with better means would buy an Ascension Secret Treasure and break through on their own.

They only needed to register afterward to become officially registered Martial Artists as well.

To put it bluntly, the Martial Artist Assessment was still a path of advancement for ordinary families.

So even though Su Bei had taken first place this time and felt delighted, he was not arrogant. Countless geniuses had long since advanced on their own.

Compared to those geniuses who might have become Martial Artists at fifteen or sixteen, he still lacked some foundation and time.

When he turned on his phone, he found that Zhang Feiyu had made a whole string of desperate calls.

He called back.

The instant the call connected, Zhang Feiyu's excited voice rang in his ear. "Brother Bei! You got first?! You got first?!"

"Awesome—awesome—!"

Anyone who did not know better would have thought Zhang Feiyu had taken first place.

Su Bei asked curiously, "What rank did you get?"

"I got 178th. I found one on a tree branch and came right out." Zhang Feiyu laughed over the phone. "My luck was amazing."

Su Bei: Actually, it was not that amazing.

No wonder Su Bei had not found any trace of him along the way.

He had even taken Number 18 out with him in the end.

Otherwise, Zhang Feiyu would have been eighteenth. But that seemed not to matter much to him. For martial arts academy disciples, this was nothing more than going through the motions.

"Oh, right, Brother Bei, did you say something to Sun Zicheng today?"

Zhang Feiyu asked strangely, "He came looking for me specifically today and said he would not target me anymore, though he could not control the others..."

Su Bei: ??

What was going on?

Had Sun Zicheng really been beaten into losing his spirit?

"...I reasoned with him," Su Bei answered succinctly.

Zhang Feiyu fell silent for a moment. "Physically?"

"Physiologically."

After chatting for a few more sentences, Su Bei hung up. His parents had also called several times, but since he would be home soon, he did not call them back.

The results of the Martial Artist Assessment were generally released the day after it ended. The event drew a great deal of attention, like a ladder to the heavens. Local residents in particular felt a sense of shared honor.

"Brother Liu, you really do not need to follow me."

"No. Those are orders."

Looking at Liu Shan, who had been following him from a short distance behind, Su Bei felt genuinely helpless.

According to Li Xiongshan, Su Bei was now someone with a mission. His safety had to be arranged for, so Liu Shan would follow him over the next few days and help secure his rear as well.

Liu Shan was stubborn too. Only after much persuasion did Su Bei get him to agree to call whenever something came up instead of following him all day, treating it as a little vacation for himself too.

Su Bei guessed that Li Xiongshan probably meant the same thing. He was not planning to leave the city this week anyway. What danger could there be?

But Liu Shan had also said that he had to escort Su Bei home. He had come with a mission as well, representing the military in explaining the situation to Su Bei's family. It was a necessary procedure.

—It was just that Su Bei's case was somewhat special. Having a Third-order Martial Artist from the Vitality and Blood Division explain things was a first even in Tianhu City.

Without exaggeration, a Third-order Martial Artist was absolutely an important figure in a place like Tianhu City. Liu Shan was only serving as Li Xiongshan's guard for now. Once he was assigned elsewhere, it would be perfectly normal for him, with his lieutenant rank, to take a company-level post.

The two chatted as they walked.

Perhaps because he had lived two lives, Su Bei did not have many common topics with people his age. Instead, he got along very well with Liu Shan, a thirty-year-old man.

The man looked cold but was warmhearted, and his mind was quick. He was far less taciturn than he appeared.

He even asked Su Bei for advice on boxing. People said that the accomplished could be teachers, but how many could truly ask without shame?

Su Bei did not hold anything back. Though he had not devoted all his effort to boxing, the rewards from the panel had given him more than a decade of experience in an instant. Summarizing and organizing it came naturally.

When Su Bei arrived home, he found three people he had not expected to see.

They were his high school homeroom teacher, Yue Wenjuan; the school principal, Zhou Fenggang; and a somewhat unfamiliar middle-aged man. The man did not look his age, wore thin-framed glasses, and had a refined, scholarly appearance.

But although the man looked cultured, he did not conceal the aura of a Martial Artist very well. It was as if he had only broken through recently.

His cultivation was still lacking.

Su Bei glanced at his parents. Sure enough, the pressure from that aura had affected them. When they saw Su Bei return, they visibly seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Though they looked uncomfortable, everyone had kept smiles on their faces throughout the conversation.

As for the other two, Su Bei did not dislike them. Yue Wenjuan had taken good care of him during his three years in school. She was responsible and diligent, and back when he trained every day, she would sometimes give him extra lessons after class.

Zhou Fenggang was something of a legend as well. He had once been a PE teacher at the school, but after breaking through into the Martial Artist Realm, he received support from an influential patron. His promotions had gone smoothly, and he eventually became the principal of First High School.

"Teacher Yue, Principal Zhou, why are you here?"

Though Su Bei said that, he more or less understood why the three had come. As expected of the school, their information network was truly efficient.

"Su Bei, you're back."

Yue Wenjuan and Zhou Fenggang both hurriedly rose to greet him.

Their positions had reversed. Those with good information had already learned the assessment results, and even they did not dare put on airs before Su Bei now.

Yue Wenjuan was still somewhat dazed. She had never expected that the student she had merely thought highly of would achieve such results a month later. She could not maintain a calm heart over it.

"Of course we came to see our school's great hero!"

Zhou Fenggang smiled as he introduced the person beside him to Su Bei. "This is Director Feng from the Tianhu City Education Bureau. After receiving the news today, he immediately rushed over with us. He insisted on congratulating you in person!"

Su Bei nodded, showing that he understood.

"Hello, Student Su Bei. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Feng Wancheng gave a refined smile, still carrying himself with a degree of status as he extended his hand to Su Bei. "A hero truly rises in his youth. This is the first time Tianhu City has had a graduating high school student become a Martial Artist directly, especially one who took first place!"

"When I received this news, I could not calm down for a long time. This is not merely your success—it is the success of Tianhu City's entire education system!"

Su Bei: ?

Su Bei suddenly understood. No wonder his parents had seemed so uneasy. Someone was spouting official jargon at full force.

"You flatter me..."

"This is absolutely not flattery. After looking into things more deeply, I discovered that your success was by no means accidental. You have a good teacher, a good principal, and a good family!"

Feng Wancheng continued encouraging him. "You must guard against arrogance and impatience, and achieve even greater results!"

"First High School is proud of you, and the Education Bureau is proud of you too!"

Both Zhou Fenggang and Yue Wenjuan felt their hearts stir.

Su Bei looked around. There was no camera nearby, was there?

Feng Wancheng had fairly well-connected sources. He had learned from a friend that the first-place winner was a student who had just graduated from high school. With his sensitive instincts, he immediately called Zhou Fenggang. Su Bei had also been quite a notable figure at school, and after learning about his family circumstances, Feng Wancheng had come straight over.

First, to offer congratulations. Second, to build goodwill. Third, naturally, to make sure this achievement was firmly associated with them.

After all, anyone with eyes could see that a Martial Artist under twenty had an exceptionally bright future.

Good news put people in high spirits. Feng Wancheng had only broken through to become a Second-order Martial Artist the day before yesterday, and now Su Bei's achievement had arrived.

In Feng Wancheng's eyes, Su Bei was no longer a person at all. He was clearly walking merit, part of Feng Wancheng's professional accomplishments!

"You flatter me, Director Feng. I was merely lucky." Su Bei instinctively remained modest and said calmly, "I only got first by chance. Sorry to make you come all this way."

"Student Su Bei, that is not a very elevated way to put it."

Feng Wancheng patted Su Bei's shoulder and laughed. "What trouble is this? You are the pride of Tianhu City's entire education system!"

Su Bei fell silent. In his previous life, he definitely would have been nervous and flattered by such treatment—even a month ago, he would have been the same.

But his strength was different now, and naturally, his perspective was different too. He truly did not know how to handle this kind of conversation.

He could only smile along, hoping the three would leave soon after meeting him. Even if only Teacher Yue remained, that would be fine.

"Little Zhou, take a photo of me with Student Su Bei." Only after saying that did Feng Wancheng turn to Su Bei. "Su Bei, this is also needed for publicity. You do not mind, do you?"

"I'm sorry, Director Feng, but the military has regulations. We really can't do that."

Su Bei spoke apologetically.

After he decided to participate in the Shattered Battlefield mission, all of his information had been classified. Only certain internal personnel could access it.

For publicity matters like this, nothing was permitted for now in order to avoid unnecessary complications.

Feng Wancheng clearly had not expected Su Bei to refuse. He froze for a moment, and the smile he had already prepared became somewhat stiff.

Since when did the military have such a rule?

Could Su Bei possibly be joining some secret unit?

But Feng Wancheng still kept a smile on his face, though his tone had lost its previous warmth. "It's fine, it's fine. If there are regulations, then we won't take it. It is not a big matter."

Zhou Fenggang was more perceptive and stepped in to smooth things over. "Xiao Bei, just take one with Director Feng. It's for your publicity too, isn't it? We wouldn't harm you, would we?"

He joked, "Director Feng came all this way in the middle of the night. You're not going to deny him even this small courtesy, are you?"

Su Bei sighed. "Principal Zhou, it's not that I don't want to take it. We really do have regulations."

"It's fine, it's fine."

Feng Wancheng waved his hand and smiled. "If Student Su Bei does not wish to take one, then forget it. We should not force him."

Even though he had deliberately come to build goodwill, being rejected twice in a row by a high school student left him unable to save face.

He could not help feeling somewhat irritated as well.

Setting aside his status, he had personally come to offer congratulations as a Second-order Martial Artist, yet Su Bei would not even let him take a photo?

Zhou Fenggang immediately grew anxious. This was refusing to give the leader face!

How was Zhou Fenggang supposed to advance then?

"Xiao Bei, it's only a photo. It isn't that serious, is it?" Zhou Fenggang continued. "Don't be so individualistic. It will benefit you too."

Su Bei almost laughed speechlessly.

So what he said was not Chinese? They simply could not understand him?

Seeing his parents desperately signaling to him with their eyes, Su Bei suppressed his helplessness.

"Then we can take it, but this photo absolutely cannot be released."

He said helplessly, "This is discipline."

Li Xiongshan had specifically explained this matter. To put it bluntly, the Shattered Battlefield mission was of great importance. It might not matter after a few months, but at this point, no possible loophole that could create complications was allowed.

"Little Zhou, if he says no photo, then no photo!"

Feng Wancheng said to Zhou Fenggang, "What kind of behavior is this?"

It was not a major matter to begin with. A photo was merely the icing on the cake. Fine if they had it, fine if they did not.

Zhou Fenggang had come from being a PE teacher. Though he knew how to read people, what he said had truly offended others.

Feng Wancheng had not come here to offend anyone.

With things having reached this point, there was no way to continue. They simply sat down on the sofa to chat, though the atmosphere was clearly no longer as lively as before.

Su Bei did not care much, however. He chatted with Teacher Yue. Though graduation had not been that long ago, it felt as if ages had passed. Even seeing Teacher Yue gave him a warm feeling of reunion after a long separation.

When he saw Mother Su about to close the door, Su Bei spoke up.

"Mom, don't close the door yet. Someone else is coming."

"Someone else?"

Mother Su was stunned. Enough people had already come to their home today. Most of their relatives lived back in their hometown, and their home was small, so they rarely invited guests over.

Usually, it was just their family of four.

"It's an older brother from the military. He's coming tonight to explain some things to the family." Su Bei explained, "I joined the military today. This is part of the procedure."

"You joined the military?" Mother Su was only realizing it now, and her eyes held both joy and worry.

She was happy because the military held high social status, but worried because she had heard that being a soldier was extremely dangerous.

But they also knew that in such matters, the family could not and did not have the ability to make decisions for him. Su Bei had rarely caused them worry since childhood, and now that he was grown, they did not want to interfere too much with his choices.

But upon hearing that someone from the military would be coming soon, she grew flustered again.

"If someone's coming, why didn't you tell us earlier?" Mother Su immediately became restless. An Education Bureau official had already left them unsettled, while military personnel risked their lives and held even more extraordinary status. "We don't have anything to entertain him with. Should your father go downstairs and buy something?"

Hearing that, Father Su got up to head outside. He had long been unable to sit still.

Director Feng had been lecturing him the whole time. Who could stand that?

"No need, no need."

Su Bei quickly waved his hand. "There are still guests at home. What would that look like? Just prepare some tea."

They were all on the same side and would be working together under Li Xiongshan in the future. There was no need to be overly formal.

"Someone from the military is coming?"

Feng Wancheng's eyes lit up when he heard that. "Then I must get acquainted with him. Our education system's talents have entered the military, so we need to ask them to take good care of him."

Though military personnel held high status, in the end, strength was what mattered. Feng Wancheng knew about this process of visiting and speaking with the family. It was nothing more than asking whether the family had any difficulties that needed resolving, while also learning about their circumstances.

These matters were generally handled by military clerks, most of whom were Quasi-Martial Artists. Even First-order Martial Artists were rare.

This was a good chance to teach Su Bei a lesson too. Joining the military did not mean he could look down on everyone.

"Then thank you for taking such concern, Director Feng. You're even worrying about our child's affairs with us."

Even though Father Su and Mother Su did not like the way Feng Wancheng spoke, they could not help thanking him.

Feng Wancheng enjoyed hearing that and lightly waved his hand. "It's only right, it's only right. Those of us in education cannot let children be intimidated to the point that they do not even dare take a photo."

Before his words had even finished.

There was a knock at the door, followed by Liu Shan walking in.

He was laden with large and small bags, all filled with fruit, cigarettes, and alcohol. He had even somehow bought a potted green plant and carried it in one hand.

"Brother Liu, so this was the errand you mentioned?"

Su Bei went over with a helpless laugh. "We don't lack these things at home. If I'd known you were going shopping, I would have made sure to carry them upstairs for you."

"How can someone visit empty-handed?"

Liu Shan grinned. "Besides, I brought these for my brother and sister-in-law. What does it have to do with you?"

Su Bei: ?? Taking advantage of me?

Liu Shan stuffed everything into Su Bei's hands. "What do you mean, taking advantage? We'll each call each other what we want."

As he spoke, he turned to Father Su and Mother Su, who had already come forward to greet him, and called out warmly, "Brother Su, Sister-in-law Luo, hello. I'm Liu Shan from the military department. I'm here on behalf of the military to visit Xiao Bei's home and learn about the situation."

"Are you two in good health?"

Honestly, just from this scene alone, no one would have guessed that Liu Shan was a Third-order Martial Artist. He seemed more like an employee from the neighborhood office, completely unlike the silent, rigid impression Su Bei had formed when they first met.

No wonder Li Xiongshan had kept him by his side all this time.

Perhaps he only chose to be silent when silence was called for, and to be smooth and tactful when the situation required it.

Being a person really was an art.

"We're in excellent health."

Father Su and Mother Su were smiling as well. "Everything at home is fine too. The military department is so busy, yet you still came all this way. Our Xiao Bei has caused you so much trouble."

"Xiao Bei, pour tea for your Uncle... brother Liu."

Su Bei had only just put the things away when Father Su started ordering him around.

"There are other guests here?"

Only then did Liu Shan notice the three people sitting in the room. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. "At this late hour, I thought I was the only one disturbing you."

Mother Su spoke up. "They're leaders from the Education Bureau."

Zhou Fenggang was about to stand and introduce everyone when he suddenly saw Feng Wancheng, who had been sitting as steady as a mountain, spring to his feet as if someone had jabbed him in the backside with a needle.

There was even a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead. "Lieutenant Liu, I never expected you to be the one who came."

Liu Shan's brows knit even tighter. "You know me?"

"I caught a distant glimpse of you during an inspection once, and I've never forgotten it," Feng Wancheng explained. He truly was a meticulous man; anyone in Tianhu City whose name could be mentioned, he made a point of learning about.

This Liu Shan might only be Li Xiongshan's guard squad leader, but he had followed Li Xiongshan for nearly ten years. His strength went without saying, and he also held considerable prestige within the military department.

As for Li Xiongshan, there was even less need to mention him. Every single guard force under Tianhu City's jurisdiction was his soldier!

Just who was Su Bei, for Li Xiongshan's guard squad leader to personally visit his home?!

A whole series of scenes from after he had entered the house flashed through his mind. He could only hope he had not done anything that would upset anyone.

"What are you here for?"

Naturally, Liu Shan had no interest in what Feng Wancheng was thinking. He sat down lightly on the sofa and asked directly.

Feng Wancheng did not even dare sit down. With a fawning smile, he said, "We mainly heard that Su Bei took first place in the martial assessment, so we came specially to offer our congratulations. After all, he only graduated from high school a month ago, so he can be considered a new benchmark for our education system."

"Mm."

Liu Shan seemed to instantly return to his military manner. "What kind of congratulations? You came empty-handed?"

His powers of observation were remarkable. Su Bei's home was not large, and since the guests had not left yet, there was no reason for the hosts to have put away any gifts beforehand.

I came carrying things, and you came to offer congratulations empty-handed?

Not very sincere, are you?

Feng Wancheng was drenched in sweat.

Feng Wancheng truly was drenched in sweat. He was usually the one receiving gifts. Being able to apply for a two-hundred-thousand bonus was already quite good; how could he have thought about bringing gifts?

"I was in a bit of a hurry when I came..."

"Alright, sit."

Liu Shan waved his hand lightly. "Since you're here, we can all go over things together and solve some problems."

He had deliberately given Feng Wancheng a little warning. He had probably been here for a while already, and the expressions on the hosts' faces had been awkward. Clearly, he had not yet figured out his place.

Without drawing attention to it, Feng Wancheng moved to the row sofa. He no longer dared sit on the separate armchair, abandoning his earlier sprawling posture for a prim and proper one.

Father Su and Mother Su saw everything. They had not expected this young man named Liu Shan to carry such an imposing presence. Though he had not said anything harsh, they could feel his sharpness clearly.

"Brother Su, you sit too. Let me briefly explain the situation to you both."

Liu Shan began, "Because Xiao Bei performed so outstandingly today, and because we value talent, we made a special exception and did not notify you two in advance."

"Xiao Bei has now officially joined the Tianhu regional military district under our guard forces. Our commander also thinks very highly of him and intends to keep him by his side as a guard for a while."

"I'm the guard squad leader, so I'm currently Xiao Bei's immediate superior."

The couple's breathing quickened. They might not know much else, but in Tianhu City, there were truly very few people who did not know the commander.

They had thought he had merely joined the military department. They never expected such a surprise!

Even Feng Wancheng and the others sitting nearby felt their hearts skip a beat.

Ordinary people understood what this meant, so they understood it even more clearly.

The moment he enlisted, he would serve as a guard under the military district commander. That was both protection and training!

Su Bei was truly about to soar!

Mother Su hesitantly asked, "Squad Leader Liu, then what about Xiao Bei's university..."

Liu Shan explained, "You don't need to worry about that at all. There are policies in place. True Martial University, where Xiao Bei will be attending, already has military department backing. It's practically the same as one of our internal military academies."

"He'll study when it's time to study and enlist when it's time to enlist. He definitely has to attend university; he just won't stay at school all the time like other students."

"Then we have no issues." Father Su and Mother Su exchanged a glance, feeling much more at ease.

"Before coming here, our commander gave us a strict order: Xiao Bei's family matters must be treated as military department matters. We must provide him with a stable rear base."

Seeing that they were both honest people who could not think of any requests, Liu Shan simply raised the matter himself. "I see that this house has been around for quite a while. It's time to solve the housing issue too."

"How about this? Over the next couple of days, make your preparations and move directly into the military department family compound. The living conditions will definitely be better than here, and it will be safer too."

"Ah?"

Father Su and Mother Su were both startled. "This... this is too much trouble..."

These days, once the words "family compound" were involved, none of them were bad.

There was even less need to mention the military department family compound. It was famous throughout Tianhu, situated closer to the central district, with commercial areas, medical care, education, martial arts halls, and everything else nearby. The internal environment was excellent, and military personnel even stood guard there regularly. Any problem could be raised at any time and solved at any time. It was a stable rear base!

Every inch of land was worth a fortune!

The people who could live there were not merely wealthy or powerful; even being wealthy or powerful did not necessarily qualify one to live there!

Even within the military department, not everyone was eligible to reside there. One had to hold at least an officer's rank and possess a certain amount of military merit to move in.

Logically speaking, Su Bei was not qualified to live there yet.

But from the moment he agreed to enter the Shattered Battlefield, he had become more qualified than the vast majority of people.

"Don't worry about eligibility. Su Bei is an exception, so just move in without concern." Liu Shan's words settled the matter, leaving no room for the couple to object.

Though Father Su and Mother Su protested verbally, how could they possibly refuse in their hearts?

This time, even Feng Wancheng felt a little envious.

Everyone knew the military department was loaded with money. He had passed that family compound from afar before; it had truly been built to the highest standards!

Tianhu City did not lack other upscale residential communities. Some were even decorated more lavishly than the military department family compound.

But so what?

Would military personnel stand guard there? Would they be called the safest place in all of Tianhu City?

As long as one could live there, it was a symbol of status!

Still, he understood that military personnel earned all that with military merit. It was not something he could envy his way into. Though he was a Second-order Martial Artist, he had only gone outside the city to hunt exotic beasts very few times. Most of the time, he hired other martial artists to hunt them for him; as long as the numbers were sufficient, that was enough.

As for the Void Battlefield, he had spent a week there in his early years. After coming out, he had devoted himself to climbing the ranks.

Because political achievements could offset time in the Void Battlefield.

It was not because the place was especially terrifying, but because he simply could not adapt to it.

The reason he had come so quickly this time was that his deadline was approaching again. Su Bei was the guarantee of his achievements.

So he had to speak up quickly.

"Well, I heard that Su Bei has a younger brother who attends the junior division of our First High School?"

Zhou Fenggang caught the implication immediately. "Yes, I've been keeping an eye on that child too. His academic performance is average, but his character is excellent. He gets along well with his classmates. The rocket class was recently reorganized, and I was just preparing to discuss with Mr. and Mrs. Su whether to transfer him there."

"I wonder what the two of you think?"

Naturally, Father Su and Mother Su nodded.

"Then make the adjustment as soon as possible. This is a critical age, and the child's development absolutely cannot be delayed." Feng Wancheng made the final decision.

Father Su and Mother Su were overwhelmed with delight. They had sought out quite a few people regarding Su He's class transfer, but none of the results had been ideal. Yet today, with just a few words, the matter was settled.

"There are also work-related matters that we need to discuss with you two..."

"And health matters. Another day, you should go to the military district hospital for a full-body examination..."

"And I need to explain the benefits for military department family members too..."

"We generally don't provide cars, but if you need one, the military factories under us also have automobile companies. The price can be discounted quite a bit..."

"That's about it. If any problems come up later, just let us know anytime. There are people in logistics to handle all of that."

The string of changes left Father Su and Mother Su dizzy, as if they were living in a dream.

Food, clothing, housing, transportation, every aspect of daily life—everything was included down to the smallest detail.

By the end, Father Su and Mother Su had even cast pleading looks at Su Bei several times.

They were not fools. Even if they had never eaten pork, they had at least seen pigs run.

Martial artists might hold high social status and form a new class, but surely there had to be a process of accumulating capital, right? Yet they were just giving all this away right from the start!?

No matter how good the military department's benefits were, they had never heard of benefits this good!

If Su Bei had not been their own son, they would have thought he was some military official's illegitimate child!

There were simply too many benefits!

So many that they became worried, feeling as if this might be the price of their son risking his life.

Su Bei smiled as he watched the scene.

He knew this was not simply due to his status as a martial artist; the Shattered Battlefield also played a part.

Li Xiongshan had truly put in a great deal of effort to put his mind at ease.

But no matter what.

He accepted this kindness.

What was cultivation for, if not his family's happiness? Even if he became invincible beneath the heavens, it would otherwise be meaningless.

The night grew deeper.

Everything was quietly growing.

Mother Su asked Su Bei, "Son, this is too much. Why does Mom feel so uneasy?"

"Did you promise them something? If you did, hurry up and refuse. Mom doesn't need any of these things."

"How much would you have to give them in return?"

"Not much. I just brought them my talent."

Su Bei smiled and reassured her, "Mom, the road of cultivation is still a long one."

This is a transition chapter, so I won't drag out the pace. What kind of crazy author writes eight-thousand-word chapters during a new book's release period? Please keep reading, friends. It's extremely, extremely, extremely important!